Guild Reunion 2018
On Saturday 19th May over 300 Guild and Honorary members of all ages descended on Cheltenham for the Guild AGM and Reunion. 41 members returned for the first time since leaving College and we were thrilled with the attendance. People came from far and wide - 11 countries in total as well as the UK!
The day was packed with events including the May Concert, College Prayers, AGM with an update on Guild and College, an Exhibition in the PAC on the contribution of College girls and staff during WW1, College tours and visits to the new EET suite as well as trips up to the Observatory and a look inside Starlab (inflatable planetarium). The Royal Wedding was streamed in the PAC which was enjoyed by many and it was also shown on the digital screens in College so those that wanted could catch a glimpse of the dress!
Pimm's was enjoyed by many and year group photographs taken before a delicious summer buffet lunch with a Royal Wedding theme was enjoyed in the Princess Hall and in the gardens which were bathed in sunshine.
In the afternoon CAMEO performed extracts from popular musicals, members visited boarding houses and then attended a tea in the new Health and Fitness Centre at Field where they were given tours by the girls.
There were plenty of opportunities to catch up with old friends and staff throughout the day and for those who wished to continue into the evening, a dinner was held in the Princess Hall which over 80 Guild members attended.
A few Guild members even returned the following morning to attend the College service in the Princess Hall.
Recordings of Prayers and the AGM are available to listen to via the Members Resources section of the website or by clicking here
Guild and College Films shown during the AGM can be found at the end of this page.
Photographs from the reunion can be found after the films at the foot of the page
Guild AGM - The Principal read a poem during the AGM by William Cory Johnson on education - to read it click here
To read the Chairman's speech click here.
Feedback from attendees
"A very big thank you for a wonderful weekend - I had the best time catching up with some old very familiar faces I hadn’t seen for 30 years! It was wonderful to be back at Coll, so many happy memories (and some crazy ones too!)." (1988 Leaver)
"Everything about it was perfect and it far exceeded even my wildest expectations. The food was all delicious, and although I was too engrossed in conversation to manage more than a few of the activities, the tours, exhibitions and performances were all beautifully arranged and conducted." (1978 Leaver)
"Thank you all for a splendid day – I know only too well all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to ‘put on’ such a show and it was all marvellous. The Exhibition for the WW1 was terrific and some of the letters brought tears to the eyes. The attention to detail was top-class and there were so many different exhibits on show." (1958 Leaver)
"I enjoyed every minute of it and it was lovely to meet and remember so many people. I really felt a person again – and it was a happy and memorable occasion." Guild Hon
"What a wonderful day on Saturday, it was the first time I have been back to Cheltenham since I left in 1976 so I had a lot of catching up to do. All the girls and staff that we came across were very friendly and welcoming, the lunch was delicious and Coll looked fabulous in the wonderful sunshine. We also managed to watch some of the Royal Wedding in the PAC. All in all a really special day, and I'm sure it won't be another 42 years before I return to Coll again!" (1978 Leaver)
"Last weekend was fabulous and I wanted to thank you very much for making it a very special day for us. You organised Saturday so well and we were made to feel incredibly welcome. Sitting in our old places in the PH and having free roam of the school was a lovely trip down memory lane. It was quite an emotional day." (1988 Leaver)
"Thank you and all the organisers for such a wonderful day on Saturday. It was brilliantly organised and everything was done to make us feel very welcome and special. I so enjoyed seeing so many old chums from my year and was able to talk to practically everyone. It was a bit like speed dating (not that I've ever done it!) trying to talk to as many people as possible before I had to go home. It was great to have tea and coffee on tap and a delicious lunch. I went home having had a fabulous time, thank you so much you looked after us beautifully. The singing in prayers was breath taking." (1978 Leavers)
"I want to thank you so much for organising a wonderful 40 year reunion the other weekend, we were all made to feel so welcome. It was a fabulous day and I could not have enjoyed the day more. To see so many of the CLC girls after such a long time was amazing. It was a treat to be back in the Princess Hall and Eve Jardine-Young spoke so well and entertainingly. We were very lucky with the weather and it was so lovely to eat lunch outside in the College grounds. The food at lunch was delicious as was the tea in the new Health and Fitness Centre. I look forward to our next reunion in five years' time and again so very many thanks for a truly memorable day." (1978 Leaver)
Guild’s Reunion Day constitutes the heart of Guild’s events, and takes place annually in May. Guild's reunion format means that each year group is invited back every 5 years and next year's reunion and Guild AGM will be on Saturday 18th May 2019 and leavers from 2014, 2009, 2004, 1999, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979, 1974, 1969, 1964, 1959 and beyond will be invited back. For further information please contact the
Guild Office on guild@cheltladiescollege.org